OldSouthernBelle

rkkwan: Well, it can't be any of us...can't you just see some investigator undercovering the Fodor's Conspiracy??!!Ha!

And Vittar: What we did was checked with our insurance rep. He told us we were covered with our policy, and did not need additional coverage!

Belle

GBelle

TarheelsInNj -- If your claim is still active and you have collection agents still bugging you, perhaps you should check your credit report to make sure that they haven't brought your credit rating down.

OneWanderingJew

My BIL got stuck for the loss of use thing after an accident a year or two ago...I'm pretty sure his insurance picked up the repair but not the loss of use costs. I need to call him and get the specifics and will post back here again.

In_From_The_Cold

I've worked for two car rental agencies and one truck rental agency. My advice is to always take some form of insurance whether it's covered by your card or bought from the rental company. You should figure that into your planned costs. That said, the cost should be nominal and not part of a multilevel sales pitch, if it is go elsewhere. Why do I recommend it? I've been on the other side of the counter when people who have gotten into wrecks without taking the insurance come back and beg to be covered, one guy was trying to convince us that he thought by refusing the insurance he was actually accepting it. Stay covered.

TarheelsInNj

GBelle, thanks for the advice. I usually try to check my credit report every few months, but I'm probably due for another look.

bakerstreet

I'm reviving this thread because I recently had an unpleasant experience with Dollar in Connectict, so searched on this forum and found this. I'll add my 2 cents. I got a high-pressure sales pitch eerily similar to one mentioned in a prior posting, and succumbed to it. It nearly doubled the cost of the rental and angered me enough that afterward I called my credit card company, and was told that (subject of course to qualifications, conditions, etc.) I would have been covered for all of the dangers the Dollar rep. warned about (loss of use during the weeks it would be in the repair shop, etc.) through my credit card coverage.

I am shortly going to rent again and although Dollar offers a much better deal than Hertz, and though I know enough to decline the CDW, I am getting concerned that the hassle I may get from Dollar if something DOES happen may outweigh the cost savings. After many rentals through Hertz I have no complaints about their service. I'd love to save over $200, but not sure it's worth it for the possible hassle.

Emucom

I suggest everyone call their insurance agent before a trip and asking him about what your insurance will cover.

Christine65

Wow!!!
I guess you get what you "Payless" for!!

mrwunrfl

Good thinking of including the Clueless Rental Car person in the photo! I have to read the replies to this.

mrwunrfl

I mean read the replies above mine. Not enough time right now.

Really happy to read about a person not being bullied by a salesperson.

toedtoes

I've used pretty much all of the major companies, and while they ask (sometimes several times), I politely say "Yes, I know, but I'm not interested. Thank you." or "No thank you, I have that covered." I never offer any details of how I have it covered - that just gives them something to argue. I have never been given the shock treatment. It's the same treatment I give for extended waranties, phone sales, etc.

I have always looked them straight in the eye when I refuse (avoiding eye contact suggests weakness) and I am dressed in fairly nice clothes (I never wear sweats, shorts, etc. when I am travelling, instead I wear "dress casual"). I think that appearance and manner definitely has something to do with it - you go for the weakest link.

Maggi

In answer to Emucon's question, we were involved in an accident at the St.Bart's airport, five minutes after I had declined the insurance on the contract. We rear-ended the car in front of us, which had stopped suddenly. We had used our U.S.Bank Northwest Perks Visa. Bottom line, we paid the repair (which was around $300)with our credit card and Visa reimbursed us promptly after we got home.

A little plug for how nice people are on St.Barts: not only were we not pressured to get the extra insurance, the man we hit insisted there was no damage to his vehicle and practically apologized to us, and the rental company woman hugged me and told me not to let this put a damper on our vacation in St.Barts. In addition, the rental company had the car picked up from our villa to get an estimate and returned it in less than an hour. The estimate, which was for a buckled hood, would for sure have cost at least a thousand or more in the States, was for only $300. We would have happily paid that out of pocket, but it sure was nice to get it back.

Since we have our own AAA insurance and we use our Visa we would not purchase the extra insurance. I do, however, check with both companies before leaving home just to make sure.